1. Wildfire has the most minimal website I’ve seen since approximately 1996, but at least there’s a phone number and map. We went there last night. I learned what sopressata is, and that it is delicious, and also that truffle oil is a fine addition to a mushroom-oriented pizza. Check it out, Portlanders.

2. American Gangster and other stories by Mark Jacobson. The title story is the basis for this movie. I can’t speak for the film, but I agree with the Entertainment Weekly review that puts Jacobson in the tradition of Joseph Mitchell as a New York City chronicler. Also, were I to make a “If you like The Wire” booklist, I would put this book on it.

3. Territory by Emma Bull. Thanks to Greg for the recommendation. You could, in fact, high concept it as magical Deadwood. I enjoyed it enough that I started over at page one again immediately after finishing. I love the way she handles the magic.

4. I was happy to see that Rules is one of the titles featured in this Eclectica Magazine article: An Extra Helping of Family Chaos. The reviewer is the inimitable Colleen Mondor, who also wrote the Territory review I linked above. I’m especially pleased that she loved Battle.

5. And a question: what, if anything, are you going to do and/or be for Halloween? (And is there any other context in which we ask “what are you going to be” without following it with “when you grow up”?)